Nigerian forward Emmanuel Okorafor has joined Louisville men’s basketball from NBA Academy Africa for the 2022-23 season.

Okorafor joined NBA Academy Africa in May 2021 and enrolled full-time in March 2022.

The 6-foot-9 prospect was one of 12 NBA Academy prospects chosen to participate in the Basketball Africa League’s Elevate program.

Okorafor whose statistics was the highest of any BAL Elevate player, averaged a double-double for BC Espoir Fukash of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Other showcases Okorafor has been a part of with NBA Academy Africa include the National Prep School Invitational in Providence, R.I., in February 2022, as well as the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas in December, followed by an exhibition game at the G League Winter Showcase.

In July 2022, Okorafor participated in the in the 2022 NBA Academy Games, a series of exhibition games featuring top prospects from outside the U.S., including from the league’s four academies located in Australia, India, Mexico and Senegal, competing against each other and elite select teams in front of NCAA coaches and NBA scouts. He helped lead NBA Academy Africa to a first-place finish in the tournament.

University of Louisville head coach Kenny Payne said:”We’re fortunate to have one of the premier players coming out of NBA Africa be a part of what we’re doing here at the University of Louisville.”

Okorafor will hope to join his compatriot Jordan Nwora who was 45th overall pick in round 2 of the 2020 NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks.

“Emmanuel is one of the bright stars coming out of NBA Africa. He’s versatile, strong, a great rebounder and excellent running the floor. We’re blessed to have him.”

Okorafor’s first official game on the roster with the Cardinals as they are fondly called be away at Boston College next week Wednesday.

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